SIPTU has called on the Government to give a once-off cash injection to the Abbey Theatre to help tackle its mounting debts.
The Union made the call after the Board of the Theatre accepted the recommendation of a working group.
The working group recommended that substantial cost savings could be delivered if the Abbey reverted to its core staffing level of 77.
Fourteen other workers, who were given temporary contracts as part of the theatre's Abbeyonehundred programme to celebrate 100 years of performances at the Abbey, will cease working at the theatre when their contracts expire.
There had been initial fears that up to 30 jobs could be lost as the theatre sought to tackle mounting debts.
SIPTU this evening said that a long-term plan was needed to ensure the Abbey's continued prominence in Irish theatre, but a short-term practical cash injection from the Government was also needed.
